TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 51/14 15-17.03.14
1. Ozersay due to New York; we had come close to
starting a process of give-and-take on the Cyprus talks
2. Nami says that they had very useful contacts with
US
3. Siber in Geneva for the Inter-Parliamentary Union
4. Atalay addressed a UN peace panel
5. Nuffel: Cypriots must look forward
6. SenerLevent calls on the Turkish Cypriots to vote
for the European Parliament elections
7. Reactions over the decisions of the “Turkish
Cypriot Educational Council” to close the theology school and to remove
obligatory oath
8. An “Islamic University” to be established in the
occupied area of Cyprus
9. A new political party is on the way: Social
Democrat Party
10. Atlasjet to carry out flights from illegal Tymbou
airport directly to London Luton Airport
11. Detay newspaper is published for the first time
12. Turkey to act in line with NATO, not to recognize
the Crimea vote
13. Columnist: Turkey's energy needs limit diplomatic efforts
for Crimea
14. Cavusoglu: Turkey prefers for the Cyprus talks to
take place at the Foreign Ministry level rather than with undersecretaries
15. MEPs request EU election observers to Turkey
1. Ozersay due to New York; we had come close to
starting a process of give-and-take on the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (16.03.14) reported that Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay will be tomorrow in New York
to carry out contacts with UN officials for the ongoing Cyprus talks.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi (17.03.14) reports that Ozersay, speaking
to the paper at Ataturk Airport before his flight to New York, said that they are endowed authority not only
negotiate in the buffer zone, but also everywhere else in the world with all
actors.
“This is a
United Nations process and we are going to share our opinions with UN officials
regarding what should be done for a successful result”, said Ozersay.
Ozersay also
stressed the need for multidimensional diplomacy and said that contacts and
meetings will increasingly continue in a manner in which Turkish Cypriot
interests will be protected.
Meanwhile,
illegal Bayrak television (online, 15.03.14) broadcast that the two negotiators
KudretOzersay and Andreas Mavroyannis met on Friday as part of negotiations
aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus Problem.
They held
substantive discussions on issues related to the chapters on Governance and
Power Sharing as well as Property at the meeting which lasted nearly 2.5 hours.
The two negotiators are set to meet again on Monday, the 25th of March.
Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s meeting,
Ozersay said they had come close to starting a process of give-and-take.
Pointing out
that they had agreed to resume the process through shuttle diplomacy to be
conducted by the UN, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator said that the focus on the
next meeting on March 25th will be to conclude issues where divergences exist.
“We shall also
be starting preparations at our next meeting for the leaders meeting scheduled
to take place on the 31st of March. We as the negotiators and our teams plan to
hold several official and non-official preparatory meetings in the week leading
to the leaders’ meeting” he added.
He also said
that the property issue had been taken up in debt at Friday’s meeting.
Explaining that
both sides had sensitivities on the issue, Ozersay said that both sides had to
come to terms with some of the UN parameters and principles.
“If we can come to terms with and accept some of the
basis established UN Parameters then it will be easier to progress”.
Underlining the
importance of protecting the principle of bizonality, Ozersay claimed: “We held
a detailed brainstorming exercise on these issues. Have we reached an agreement
on these issues? We do have a basic understanding on reaching a quick agreement
on some basic fundamental points. In any case if an agreement and common
understanding existed on these issues, the Cyprus issue would have long been
solved by now”.
2. Nami says that they had very useful contacts
with US
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (17.03.14) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that they had had “very useful” contacts with US officials and
that interest at a very high level exists in the USA for the Cyprus problem.
In statements at the illegal Tymbou
airport after his one week-long visit to the USA, Nami noted that in
parallel to the natural resources which trigger the solution process, there are
also some other “dynamics”.
Nami said that in his meetings they discussed the
developments which are expected in the Cyprus problem, the problems in the area
and the possible influences of these problems on the issue of Cyprus. “In Washington we saw that there is an interest at a very high
level for the Cyprus problem”, he noted adding that what they actually wanted
was to draw the international attention to the Cyprus problem at the highest
level and conclude the process in an effective manner by taking the
contribution of the international community.
Nami argued that
the press was also very interested in his contacts and he had given many
interviews, many of which were published on the front page, something which “is
an indication for the interest shown to the Cyprus problem”.
Nami said that the interest during his contacts at
think tanks was focused on the natural gas adding that it is obvious that the
natural gas will conduce to Cyprus coming onto the top of the agenda in America.
Nami said that
they saw that the USA is ready to actively contribute in the Cyprus problem.
Responding to a question, he noted that the current process is different than
the one in 2004. He added: “Every process has its own dynamics. In 2004 the
actual dynamics was the decision for the EU enlargement. Ten years passed since
then and now there are some other dynamics which trigger the process. For
example, it is not correct to say that the reason for this is only the natural
gas. There are other reasons too…”
On the same
issue, illegal BRT television (15.03.14) broadcast that Nami, who went to New
York on Friday after completing his contacts in Washington D.C, met with the UN
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman.
Views on the
Cyprus issue were exchanged at the meeting which lasted for nearly an hour.
Nami conveyed to
Feltman the Turkish Cypriot side’s strong determination and desire to see the
current negotiations move forward in a results oriented manner. Nami also drew
attention to the benefits a solution will bring to both Cyprus and the
neighbouring region.
Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side was working
hard for a comprehensive and lasting settlement on the island, Nami said that
the international community must step up its support to the process in parallel
with the Turkish Cypriots’ efforts.
Feltman for his
part conveyed the UN Secretary General’s happiness expressed over the two
sides’ efforts being exerted at the negotiating table. He said that the UN
Secretary General fully supported the current process and that the United
Nations’ high level of interest and support towards a solution in Cyprus will
continue.
Meanwhile during
his meeting with the Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Christopher Murphy, Nami relayed why a solution was necessary for the Cyprus
issue.
Referring to the
need for the continuation of US contributions to the Cyprus solution process,
Nami also drew attention to the importance of international actors encouraging
the two sides towards a solution.
Senator Murphy for his part said that the Cyprus issue
was on their agenda and added that they gave great important to Cyprus and a
solution being found to the Cyprus problem. ‘A solution also holds great
importance for the region’ said Murphy.
Nami also
visited the Hudson Institute and the Washington Institute where he briefed them
on the latest phase reached on the Cyprus issue.
3. Siber in Geneva for the Inter-Parliamentary
Union
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 15.03.14), the self-styled speaker of the
assembly of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus, SibelSiber, flew to Geneva, Switzerland on Saturday to attend the “Round
table meeting of Mediators in Cyprus” organized by the Inter-Parliamentary
Union (IPU) within the framework of the 130thGeneral Session of the IPU.
Siber is
accompanied by the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) “deputy”
ErkutŞahali, the Democrat-Party-United Forces (DP-UG) “deputy” MentesGunduz,
the main opposition National Unity (UBP) “deputy” Ersan Saner, the Social
Democratic Party (TDP) “deputy” ZekiCeler and the “parliamentary speaker’s
private secretary” AhmetMuratoglu. The
delegation will return to the occupied area of Cyprus on the 19th of
March.
4. Atalay
addressed a UN peace panel
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 14.03.14), the “head of the department of
religious affairs” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, TalipAtalay,
is holding a series of contacts in Geneva, Switzerland.
Within the
framework of his contacts, Atalay attended a panel on peace organized by the
United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
As part of his
contacts Atalay also met with the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of Religious
or Belief HeinerBielefeldt.
Evaluating his
Geneva contacts to “BRT”, Atalay said that the speech he delivered during the
peace panel had been very constructive and successful. “For those who support a
solution this peace panel will contribute to their efforts in overcoming
psychological obstacles”, said Atalay and added that other countries also
evaluated the panel as being very successful and significant. He concluded
saying that the messages received from the panel were very encouraging.
5. Nuffel: Cypriots must look forward
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (16.03.14) reports that Pieter Van Nuffel, special representative of the President of the
EU Commission Jose Manuel Barosso for Cyprus, has argued that both sides in Cyprus have lost some opportunities for
living a better life and added that the Cypriots must look forward in order for
being able to leave a better country to the future generations.
In an interview
with Havadis, Van Nuffel noted that in
case of the reunification of Cyprus under the roof of a federation, derogations
could be implemented, but these derogations must be based on objective
conditions which will be justifying their implementation and must not stay in
force a longer period than necessary. He noted that Protocol 10 of the
Cyprus’ Accession Treaty puts forward the procedure that will be followed in
case of a possible solution on the island and added that any decision or
procedure based on Protocol 10 constitutes EU’s Primary Law.
(I/Ts.)
6. SenerLevent calls on the Turkish Cypriots to
vote for the European Parliament elections
Turkish Cypriot
daily Realist newspaper (17.03.14) publishes an interview of Afrika newspaper’s
journalist SenerLevent who will be a candidate for the European Parliament
elections.
Levent calls on the 80 thousand Turkish Cypriots who
have an identity card of the Republic of Cyprus to vote for the EU elections.
According to Levent, if the Turkish Cypriots participate in the elections they
can easily be represented to the EU Parliament with three seats.
He went on and
stated that the Turkish Cypriots show very little interests for the elections
and added that if they could realize how important the EU Parliament elections
are for the Turkish Cypriots, things could be different.
He also said that according to a survey conducted by
Greek Cypriot Politis newspaper which asked its readers if they would vote for
SenerLevent, 11% stated that they would vote for him.
7. Reactions over the decisions of the “Turkish
Cypriot Educational Council” to close the theology school and to remove
obligatory oath
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (15.03.14) reported that the “Turkish Cypriot Educational Council” who conveyed on Saturday
agreed to push for the lifting of Religious Studies classes from schools in the
breakaway regime as well as the closure of the Islamic Theology College in
occupied Mia Milia village. The council also decided in favor of removing the
obligatory “oath of allegiance” in schools.
The joint
decisions of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Union (KTOS), Turkish Cypriot
Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEOS) and the “Eastern Mediterranean
University Academic Staff Union” was protested by the self-styled minister of
education Mustafa Arabacioglu, who stormed out of the meeting, writes the paper.
The Council now
has 15 days to notify the “council of ministers” for its decision and have
their decisions published in the “official gazette”.
The paper also
wrote that among the decisions taken, which were not announced in public was
the teaching of Greek language to become an obligatory lesson for elementary
students.
In addition,
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (16.03.14) published an interview of
Arapacioglu who expressed his disagreement over the decisions taken by the
“Turkish Cypriot Educational Council”. Arabacioglu said that the teaching of
Greek can be taken into consideration. However, the removing of the “oath of
allegiance” and the closure of the Theological School is out of question.
Diyalog
(17.03.14) writes that former chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)
FerdiSabitSoyer and current general secretary of the party KytlayErk,
criticized Arabacioglu. Soyer said that even in Turkey the oath was removed.
Erk on his part stated that the oath is racist.
8. An
“Islamic University” to be established in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the front-page title: “Islamic
University is coming”, Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper (16.03.14)
report that the “Cyprus Education of Ethics and Social Assistance Foundation”
which has opened the Hala Sultan Theological College in occupied Mia Milia, has
now taken steps for the opening of an Islamic University in the occupied area
of Cyprus.
As the paper writes, the “Cyprus
Education of Ethics and Social Assistance Foundation” has made an official
application to the the so-called Higher Education Planning, Evaluation,
Accreditation and Coordination Council (“YODAK”), for the opening of the
“Islamic University” which was approved.
In statements on the issue, “YODAK’s
general secretary” MetinBeyoglu confirmed the application and said that the new
“Islamic University” to be established will provide education in the fields of
social sciences. He added that the “rector” of the “university” will be the
“general director” of Vakif Foundation, Prof.Dr. Ibrahim Benter who said that
the “university” will open in occupied Keryneia.
(AK)
9. A new political party is on the way: Social
Democrat Party
According to
Turkish Cypriot KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 15.03.14), a new political
party is getting ready to join the political arena in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus. The party will be
called “Social Democrat Party” (SDP), said TozunTunalı, former “undersecretary
of ministry of health”.
Speaking during
a TV show on “BRT” TV, Tunalı referred to the new party and how it came about.
He noted that there is no party with an ideology in this country, adding: “The
failure of governments is evident… The young generation is migrating and new
people come instead… Look at the private sector, most of the employees are from
Turkey, or under control of Turkish employers...”
He went on: “The
public sector should no longer be the door of hope. What will happen in case of a solution? No one knows what we will do!
If FIFA, UEFA says 'let’s have friendship cups' where will we have them, in
which stadiums? We are unprepared for everything... The best is to have
early elections”.
10.Atlasjet
to carry out flights from illegal Tymbou airport directly to London Luton
Airport
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (17.03.14) Osman Malyali, director of Atlasjet Airlines in the
occupied area of Cyprus, has stated to the paper, that Atlasjet will launch as
of May 2, flights from illegal Tymbou airport to London Luton Airport without
making a stop first to Istanbul.
Malyali said that Atlajset’s aim is to
provide both low cost flights and good quality services to its passengers. He
added that with this kind of flights, the “Ercan-London” flight will be more
pleasant and more costly.
(AK)
11. Detay newspaper is published for the first time
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper is published
today (17.03.14) for the first time. The paper’s
general publishing director, OshanSabirli notes that this is the sixteenth
daily newspaper issued in the occupied area of Cyprus and points out that they
are aware of the fact that issuing such a paper in conditions of economic
crisis is tantamount to “insanity”. In his commentary under the title “Hello”,
Sabirli says that they are proud of issuing the paper with their own resources.
He notes that they support peace, freedom and human rights and that they are
not and will not be under the “guidance” of any political party or businessman.
(I/Ts.)
12. Turkey to act in line with NATO, not to
recognize the Crimea vote
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 17.03.14) reports that Turkey’s Prime Minister
RecepTayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey
will release an official statement later today, March 17, to declare that
Ankara will not recognize a March 16 referendum in Crimea in which 97% of
voters reportedly opted to join Russia.
After an
election campaign rally in Izmir last night, Erdoğan held a surprise meeting
with Mustafa CemilKirimlioglu, a Ukrainian Member of Parliament and former
speaker of the Crimean Tatar National Assembly. Stressing that Turkey would not
unilaterally intervene in the crisis in Ukraine, Erdogan told Kirimlioglu that
he spoke about the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Ankara
would stand by and do everything to protect the Crimean Tatars.
“With the
Western world, Turkey wants the
territorial integrity of Ukraine to be preserved. If NATO makes a decision
on this matter, Turkey will certainly abide by it,” Erdogan said.
Kirimlioglu,
meanwhile, confirmed that most Crimean Tatars had boycotted the vote in
accordance with the decision of the Crimean Tatar Assembly, stating that
Ankara’s support had boosted the ethnic minority’s morale.
Meanwhile,
Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.03.14) reported that ensuring the safety and
well-being of the Crimean Tatars is Turkey's priority in Ukraine, the country's
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday.
In an interview
with Turkish news channel NTV in southeasternSanliurfa province, AhmetDavutoglu said: "Turkey is clear about
this. Otherwise, everybody knows that we will take the necessary steps".
13. Columnist: Turkey's energy needs limit
diplomatic efforts for Crimea
Columnist
IremKarakaya, in Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 16.03.14) wrote that Turkey's heavy dependence on Russian energy
resources stands as one of the main factors that reduce room for diplomatic
manoeuvring over the crisis in Crimea, which is home to Muslim Turkic
Tatars. The article further notes:
“Turkey has
chosen to act cautiously over the Crimean crisis, which erupted when Russia
dispatched troops to the peninsula during turmoil in Ukraine, and deepened with
the decision to hold a referendum on the future of the peninsula. Although
Ankara has reiterated the importance of preserving Ukraine's territorial
integrity, political unity and sovereignty, the fact that it has made statements regarding the Crimean crisis
without mentioning Russia's name has showed that Ankara is refraining from
confronting Moscow, one of Turkey's key energy suppliers.
GurkanKumbaroglu,
oil analyst and head of the Turkish Association for Energy Economics (TRAEE),
believes that energy and economics are two keywords behind Ankara's reaction
over Russia's intervention in Crimea. “Both space heating and electricity
production are based to a large extent on natural gas imports from Russia.
There is neither enough storage capacity for natural gas nor reserve capacity
for electricity generation so as to overcome a serious dispute with Russia,”
Kumbaroglu told Sunday's Zaman, adding, “The risk of an energy shortage is such
a major threat for Turkey that it could easily overshadow diplomatic
manoeuvres.”
Turkey, whose
energy import dependence has been on the rise, depends heavily on Russia, from
which it buys around 58% of its natural gas. Turkey also imports around 12% of
its oil from Russia. Natural gas dependence, significant trade relations and
planned projects with Russia temper Turkish frustration with Crimea policy.
Ian Lesser, a
senior director for Foreign and Security Policy at the German Marshall Fund of
the United States, points out the fact that Turkey is among the countries most
exposed to an energy-related crisis with Russia. “It is not likely that Moscow
will use this energy ‘weapon,' but Ankara will inevitably be concerned, and
energy security is now part of the calculus in relation to Russia and Crimea,”
Lesser told Sunday's Zaman, adding, “For Turkey and its European partners, this
means that finding ways to offset dependence on Russian gas will be essential,
at least for the medium and longer term."
Turkey buys
natural gas from Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia and liquefied natural gas from
Algeria and Nigeria. However, Turkey's heavy dependence on Russian gas makes
Russian resources vital for Turkey, at least until Ankara develops an
alternative plan.
Crimea is not
the first example of how the politics of energy shapes Turkey's foreign policy.
Cyprus peace talks have kicked off to reunify the divided island after two
years of intense diplomatic efforts, particularly by the United Nations, the US
and Turkey.
Exploring for natural gas off the coast of Cyprus had
started before the peace talks resumed. It is believed that the region holds
reserves sufficient to fill Europe's energy needs for decades and thus break
Russia's monopoly on the energy sector. However,according to Kumbaroglu, the
driving force behind Turkey's participation in the Cyprus peace talks was the
transfer and route of the found gas; he said, "Turkey's geopolitical
location makes it a unique candidate to become an energy distribution hub for
oil and gas to be transported to the European consumers.”
14. Cavusoglu: Turkey prefers for the Cyprus talks
to take place at the Foreign Ministry level rather than with undersecretaries
Turkish daily
Sabah (online, 16.03.14) reported that Turkey’s EU Minister MevlutCavusoglu,
evaluating the present state of relations with the EU in an interview to the
paper, said: “The opening of chapter 22 of negotiations during 2013 has created
a more positive atmosphere in Turkey's relations with the EU. In September of
the past year, our Prime Minister announced a comprehensive democratization
package. The signing of the readmission agreement as well as visa free travel
agreements has contributed to the positive relations. We are aiming for this to
continue and have repeatedly said that 2014 will be the year of the EU. During
our visits to Brussels, Berlin and Rome this year, as well as the state visits
of the Presidents of France, Spain and Romania to Ankara, we made clear that
Turkey wants the EU negotiation process to be accelerated and the message was received
warmly by other leaders.
For 2014 to be
the year of the EU, the reform process will continue at full speed. Parliament
passing the fifth judicial reform package the day before the recess for local
elections and the Cabinet approving the action plan on the prevention of human
rights abuses shows our determination to continue the reform process. We will
continue this reform process.”
Referring to the
chapters 23 and 24, Cavusoglu said: “While we do expect new chapters to open in
2014 we are not entirely certain as to whether this will happen under the
presidency of Greece because we have not yet seen a positive step taken by
Greece. As a result, both sides are keen for chapters to open. There are still chapters that are being
blocked by Southern Cyprus [editor’s note: as he refers to the Republic of
Cyprus]. We expect the EU to take concrete steps and set the tone on this
matter.”
Asked to
evaluate the new negotiation process in Cyprus, Cavusoglu said: “The new peace
process in Cyprus is a promising development. We, as Turkey, would prefer for these negotiations to take place at the
Foreign Ministry level rather than with undersecretaries.
However, the
Greek side did not view this favourably. During this period both sides need to
take steps to build confidence and everyone ought to lend political support.
Turkey is approaching this period with sincerity, support and hope. The stance
of the Greek side, being one of ‘first give us the Maras region [editor’s note:
the fenced off town of occupied Varosha] then the blockade on chapters will be
lifted’ is not a constructive approach towards peace. Even if the Greek side
has good intentions, not every negotiation issue is a relevant prerequisite for
peace. Our wish is for a comprehensive
package, including military withdrawal from the island, to be put forth for
negotiation. Once an agreement has been reached, it can then be taken to a
referendum. We have an opportunity now for peace and stability for both sides,
which ought not to be misused.”
15. MEPs request EU election observers to Turkey
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (15.03.14) reported that 18 members of the European Parliament, led by liberal Dutch MEP
MarietjeSchaake, have sent a letter to EU High Representative Catherine Ashton
and European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule to request them set up an EU
election observation mission for the monitoring of municipal elections in
Turkey, scheduled for March 30.
“Given the
current crisis, this step is not just important, it is necessary. The government
has introduced a number of laws recently that further constrict freedom of
expression and every form of criticism is being hard-headedly suppressed. The
EU needs to aim for free and fair elections as a precondition for Turkish
democracy," Schaake said.
The letter
stressed out "structural problems in Turkey" which resurfaced in
recent months regarding the rule of law, the separation of powers and respect
for basic human rights.
Meanwhile,
Turkey’s Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan has said that a European Union
observer mission to Turkey is possible. "If they want, they can come.
There is no obstacle," Erdogan said, according to an NTVMSNBC report.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
